“How are you doing, cousin? I apologize for not checking in with you the way I should have. My schedule has been crazy lately. I’m happy to have another cousin in the family. We can be a little crazy at times, but we love hard.” He got up from hisseat to pull me in for a hug. I lingered in his arms longer than I intended, but I was unaware of how much I needed it.
“Thank you. I apologize for bringing chaos to Sunday dinner and for leaving the cookout early. I seem to have a knack for making grand entrances and exits.”
“Naw, that wasn’t your fault. Besides, you aren’t the first bomb drop we’ve ever had at dinner. I’m glad to see you in good spirits, though. I know none of this has been easy for you, but I can promise that your heart is safe with us.”
I nodded my head because I was afraid my emotions would get the best of me if I attempted to speak on the subject any further.
“Alright, baby. I’m gonna leave you two to talk. The food should be ready by the time you finish up for the night.” Ciyani stood on her tiptoes with her lips poked out, waiting for a kiss. Of course, Justice happily obliged, making sure to add some tongue to the mix.
“I won’t be long. The fight doesn’t start until late this evening, so I’m gonna eat and then freshen up. I love you.” He leaned down and pecked her lips once more.
“I love you more. Peace, don’t leave my house without saying goodbye. At least have a glass of wine with us before you go.” Ciyani demanded, winking at me before she skipped out of the room. Justice watched her until she closed the door behind her.
Justice returned to his desk and gestured for me to take a seat in the chair in front of him.
“Ciyani gave me a summary, but what can I do for you?” He inquired.
“I want to know where he is.” I kept it simple because he already knew why I was there.
“I see. Well, Dreaux isn’t in any danger in case you were worried. He needed some time and space to deal with a few things, but he will be back in no time.”
My face twisted into a frown because, although I expected him to give me the run around, I secretly hoped he would prove me wrong.
“There are some things I need to talk to him about, and I don’t give a fuck about him needing to take time for himself. He didn’t do it the right way, because his sisters have no idea where he is and haven’t heard from him.”
“I understand that he’s your friend, and I respect you wanting to cover for him. All I’m asking is for an opportunity to say my peace. I couldn’t care less what he’s doing as long as he’s safe, but there are a few things I need to get off my chest, and I don’t want to wait.” I crossed my arms over my chest to let him know I meant business. Justice responded with a chuckle before pulling out his phone.
The phone rang a few times before his deep tenor boomed through the phone.
“What’s up, bro?”
“Nothing much, bruh. I have a visitor in my office who is demanding to speak to you. I thought I would call you before I gave her your location.” Justice replied smoothly.
“Oh, yeah?”
His response pissed me off, and for a moment, I considered the fact that he might actually be with a bitch.
“Yeah. She’s over here looking like she’s ready to bite my head off, and I’m not the one she has an issue with.” I rolled my eyes at his joke because, in that moment, I wanted to hit somebody. Dreaux sounded so calm and relaxed while I spent the last few days worried about him.
“Tell her if she has an issue with me, then come say that shit to my face.” The line disconnected, and I bit back all of the curse words on the tip of my tongue.
“I see the two of you are friends for a reason,” I grumbled, getting up from my seat.
“You aren’t wrong. The two of us operate in similar ways. The biggest difference between the two of us is that Dreaux doesn’t like to express his feelings. Don’t take it personally; I promise it isn’t. I probably shouldn’t say anything, but I can tell by the frustrated look on your face that you care about him.
“Dreaux is used to being the savior. Everybody in his life depends on him for one thing or another. There isn’t anything wrong with it, but because he’s so used to being there for everyone, he doesn’t know how to let people be there for him. I don’t give him much of a choice, but we’re brothers, so it’s different. I can’t tell you his personal business because that’s his business to tell. What I will say is that strong people need people, too.
“Understood.”
“He really cares about you. I’m not a deeply spiritual person, but I believe you two met for a reason. One of them was to reunite you with us. I guess it’ll be up to you two to figure out the other reason.” I let his words linger in my mind as I tried to reason with my heart and mind.
He gave me Dreaux’s location, so that was a start. He was an hour away, so I sent a message to Dominique and Dana to make sure they were okay with keeping Promise. They sent me multiple replies and politely told me to kiss their asses and leave their baby alone. Once I made sure she was settled and they didn’t need anything, I made the drive. I wondered what I would do when I saw him, but I guess I would let things play out the way they were supposed to.
“What took you so long to answer the door?” I asked the moment he pulled the door back. I may have been a little dramatic, butit seemed like several minutes passed before he opened the door for me.
“Bring your ass inside. I liked you better when you were too shy to speak your mind.” His eyes raked over me, and it almost distracted me from his disrespectful words.
“Boy, fuck you. I’ve always had a smart mouth, but I didn’t have a reason to show you until now.” I observed the room as I removed my shoes by the door. It was a presidential suite at an upscale hotel. Shamefully, I had never seen one in person, but it was even more breathtaking than the ones I saw in the movies.
